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Health & Fitness
Holiday Feasts
What do you do to keep off the holiday pounds?
Work out. I put in extra hours at the gym to stay fit.
Cut calories. Less is more when it comes to enjoying holiday meals.
Skip desert. Bring on the stuffing, but pass the pie.
Nothing. I was blessed with fast metabolism.
Avoid the scale. What you don't know can't hurt you.
Vote Now

Our health photo archives:

2008 - Triathlon World Cup
The king of fit: Richard Simmons
Beat food's high cost
Celeb weight rollercoasters
Celebrity Diet Endorsements
Bodyworks exhibit
Eww, gross! (But will it make you sick?)

-- By Julie Deardorff | Chicago Tribune

Several experts assess the risk of some everyday germ encounters. The advice can be summed up in three sentences: "Germs are everywhere. Live your life. And wash your hands."

For example, you sit on a public seat or lean your head on a headrest in an airplane. As long as the germs aren't on your hands—and then the hands go to the mouth, eyes or nose—you're fine.

THE VERDICT: Minimal risk.

Featured fitness video
More health features:

Being close makes you happy

Researches found that happiness appears to spread among family members, friends and neighbors. How much happier? Well, that depends on how close they are to you, literally. To see how happy your joyful neighbor or distant, but peppy best friend makes you, check out our Happy Universe, a fun interactive health tool or view our Happy Universe Photo Guide.

WGN Medical Watch

Nickel Allergies; Sick Tomatoes; Mother's Behavior

If you have an unexplained skin rash, the reason could be close at hand.

Salmonella Tomatoes; Seasonal Allergies; Food Dyes

In tonight's Medical Watch -- fresh tomatoes linked to salmonella poisoning.

Fitness tools, workout videos and more

Stop cancer's spread

An interactive look at how a new procedure removes cancer cells from patients.

Season's eatings

How much you need to exercise to work off certain seasonal treats.

Workouts on the cheap

5 ways to help you stay fit on a budget

Challenge your mind

Maintain your mental capabilities by exercising your brain.

Food nutrition and you

Learn how to read nutrition labels and get facts and tips for healthier eating.

BMI calculator

A great first step to a healthier, more fit you. Calculate and print your BMI.

Health news photos
SAN FRANCISCO - DECEMBER 15: Marlboro Lights cigarettes are displayed at a tobacco store December 15, 2008 in San Francisco, California. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled today that people may file lawsuits against tobacco companies for deceptive advertising of 'light' cigarettes. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
L.A. Times: Booster Shots health blog

Smoke does not get in their eyes (or their lungs)

Three years after Pueblo, Colo., passed a law banning smoking in private workplaces and public places, heart attacks among city residents fell by an impressive 41%. The study in today's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, published by the national Centers...

Rodent of the week: Food additive tied to lung cancer

A food additive that is becoming more common in a variety of products has been linked to an increased risk of lung cancer as well as a more vigorous spread of the disease. A study, published in the January issue...